All Black Tamati Ellison completes Japan move

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All Blacks utility back Tamati Ellison has completed a move to Japan's Ricoh Black Rams, ruling him out of next year's World Cup in New Zealand.

Ricoh told Reuters on Monday the 26-year-old had signed for the Japanese league side from the Wellington Hurricanes.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has a policy of only selecting players based in New Zealand for the All Blacks.

The Black Rams also have Australia's Stephen Larkham and Ellison's former Hurricanes team mate Roy Kinikinilau among their ranks.

Ellison has been one of the form players in New Zealand over the past two seasons and made his test debut against Italy at the end of last year.

- Reuters